Bostrom Fastest On Superbike, Exploding Superstock Slick Sends DiSalvo Tumbling At Daytona

Bostrom Fastest On Superbike, Exploding Superstock Slick Sends DiSalvo Tumbling At Daytona

© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Day two of the Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway ended on a bittersweet note Tuesday with Ben Bostrom approaching the lap record on his new Honda CBR1000RR Superbike and Jason DiSalvo crashing due to an exploding rear tire on his Graves Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock racebike.

Early in the afternoon, Bostrom recorded the fastest time of the test so far with a 1:47.650 while doing five-lap tire test runs.

“That bike is pretty impressive,” Bostrom told reporters Tuesday, unable to curb his enthusiasm for his new mount. “I think that shows what we have going, but there’s actually more to come. The bike has some development work that needs to be looked into.

“Jake’s been riding it really well, but he’s kind of used to the Formula Xtreme bike and stuff like that and realizes how to use the clutch. Me, I kind of chatter the back a lot going into the corners. The boys got some ideas how to fix it. I think that ought to make up a lot, and we should be able to gain a couple of tenths in each corner.

“The bike’s incredible. With myself, Miguel and Jake all turning fast laps out here it shows you that the bike’s doing good.

“I’m real excited. I can’t believe what an advantage it is having a four-cylinder. I think we all knew it a little bit because, basically, Mat (Mladin) and Aaron (Yates) kicked all of our butts last year. This year, now that we’re on the four-cylinder, I think we understand more what kind of advantage those two had. You have more power basically from low-rpm all the way through and they steer better. How do you beat that?”

The day, however, ended slightly early at 4:30 p.m. local time when DiSalvo’s Superstock racebike, which had been clocked at 183 mph Tuesday, came sliding into the tri-oval on its side with a damaged rear tire and without DiSalvo.



The 19-year-old New Yorker was seen staggering to his feet nearly 700 feet up track toward NASCAR Turn Four, lucky to escape with abrasions and a mild concussion.

“He can’t remember anything from the chicane on,” said Yamaha Team Manager Tom Halverson, who also confirmed that there were no mechanical problems found on DiSalvo’s motorcycle other than a “shredded rear tire.”

DiSalvo was taken to Halifax Medical Center, where he underwent a CAT scan, according to Halverson.

More details will be posted as they become available.

Tuesday afternoon’s lap times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing Timing & Scoring):

1. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:47.650
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:48.475
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:49.501
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:49.731
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:49.935
6. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, Superstock, 1:49.988
7. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:50.112
8. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:50.577
9. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:50.977
10. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:51.114
11. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.157
12. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:54.006
13. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:54.328
14. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:54.675
15. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:54.987
16. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:55.829
17. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R600 Supersport, 1:56.235

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